Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had ideal stage set for himself at Port Elizabeth. The visitors had set a firm base as they crossed the 40-over mark whilst batting first in the fifth ODI of the series. Rohit Sharma’s fine ton set the base for a total in excess of 300 for the Indian team. However, the Indian opener got out at the worst possible stage of the game.

Just when the fans had started to anticipate Sharma changing gears and entering his beast mode, he perished to a delivery by Lungi Ngidi in the 43rd over. India were four down with Rohit’s dismissal. Many pondered that it could be the right chance for MS Dhoni to come in to bat. Much to their surprise, it was Hardik Pandya who was promoted ahead of MS Dhoni in the match.

Pandya arrived at the crease after a string of low scores in his recent games for the national side. A lot was at stake for him and more importantly, he had the stage catered to his style of playing set in the game. But, the Baroda all-rounder ended up edging one to the wicket keeper on the very next delivery bowled by Lungi Ngidi. Pandya had to walk back for a golden duck and the fans were absolutely not impressed with the dismissal.

The critics have been quite harsh on Pandya in the recent times. When the tour had commenced, he had shown a lot of promise. He was India’s best batsman in the first Test of the tour. Also, he was very effective with the ball in that game. Ever since that game, Hardik Pandya has only been a shadow of what he has promised to be for the Indian side.

Many claimed that Pandya should be dropped from the side for his dismal show with both bat and the ball. With the bat, he has been a big failure thus far in the series. The story has been no better with the ball. He has been the weaklink in the Indian bowling. And now, this golden duck in the Port Elizabeth ODI is only going to hurt his reputation even more.

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to Pandya’s golden duck:

Hardik Pandya hasn't scored a run since the Kapil Dev 'comparisons' in Cape Town. Which is why players should be left to be who they are… #SAvInd